In a previous incarnation as a Mother of five children under seven, I found myself up to my neck in local politics because I wanted my children to grow up in a vibrant healthy community. They got pretty good at rounding up neighborhood kids … [Read more...]
Sara Orozco, Civic Engagement
Real Civic engagement is this too.....stepping up to run for office. Editorial: Competition is healthy Needham - As Needham's School Committee race comes to a screeching halt - with seats no longer contested - it's nice to see another race … [Read more...]
Real Civil Engagement is like this……….
Check out the Home Again Website sponsored by a remarkable,powerful and effective coalition of folk from Central Mass. Not easy to build public support for housing the homeless, but they did it with a series of smart and savvy public … [Read more...]
The kind of Government we want and how we pay for it
Dear Not Afraid, You are very welcome. Nice to know it's working. Now all we have to do is get more people on this little straight talk express. … [Read more...]
What’s Wrong with Earmarks again?
Dear Good Guy, Do not spend another second worrying about what anybody else thinks about earmarks. Get to work with your not-so-powerful Rep and make sure s/he gets your earmark in the list of priorites to Chairman DeLeo. As you may already … [Read more...]
What we want our government to do and how we pay for it
Dear Just Asking I'm sure you've noticed that every press story about every initiative announcement includes a quote or three from a legislative leader or a "state house observer" asking the same question. And the answer will come to … [Read more...]
Dear Hecate The Massachusetts Budget Process…..What’s happening?
Dear Baffled, It really is pretty simple. All of those young brainiacs in the Fiscal affairs Division of the Administration and Finance (who appear younger every year to Hecate) have been burning the midnight oil for weeks doing a fact … [Read more...]
Inside is not the Dark Side!!!
Dear Frustrated,Sorry about the attitude. I have always believed that most public officials get into the business because they really want to make a measurable positive change in the the lives of their constitutents. And get credit for it. … [Read more...]
If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs …………
Dear YukYou know your Runyard Kipling's poem a has some good advice. (Dismiss the gender limiting last line -- Kipling was not the last of the white male imperialists.) IF If you can keep your head when all about youAre losing theirs and … [Read more...]
Hecate’s advice to Being Recruited by the Administration –Don’t want to be a sell-out
Dear Don't want to sell out. This ain't going to be easy for someone with principles. On one hand you might be able to be the vehicle for genuine input for outside advocates and experienced providers who have really good … [Read more...]